A POPULAR teacher has been saved at Lymm High School after the decision to axe him was reversed.

Ian Hughes won an appeal hearing on Friday after he was made redundant in July.

The head of sixth form will now be reinstated but school chiefs will not say what caused the redundancy to be withdrawn.

Kieran Walshe, chairman of governors, said he cannot go into details about individual cases.

“We have always wanted to not make anyone redundant,” he said.

“The school’s position is because of the changes in funding.

“What the governors are absolutely clear on is that the school stays within its budget and continues to provide an excellent service.”

A Facebook campaign was set up to support Mr Hughes.

Backing was also left at Warrington Guardian online.

Members celebrated his reinstatement.

Former Lymm teacher James Gibbons said: “Congratulations Ian. Hope any pressure we have brought has been of some assistance to your plight.

“Thanks to anyone who has got involved, particularly the students who tried to be active in the campaign within the school itself.”

Former student Jack West was heavily involved in the campaign.

He said: “We are all so glad that the governors have seen sense.

“I think the fact that the governors have disagreed with their decision signifies the start of a change at Lymm High School for the better.”

Despite the success of Mr Hughes, Lymm High is currently going through a three-stage restructuring process with redundancies made and more job losses expected.

Mr Walshe said he could not disclose how many staff have already lost jobs.

He did confirm that the three deputy head teachers currently employed at Lymm High would retain their positions, but added that costs of senior management had been reduced.

An FOI submitted by the Warrington Guardian earlier this month revealed that there had been a £600,000 overspend at the school in 2010.